Cells use ‘pattern recognition receptors’ (PRRs) to detect pathogens based on phylogenetically conserved structures. The ligand specificity of PRRs and their site of expression enable cells to determine the identity and subcellular localization of invading pathogens. This complex information is transduced into tailor-made responses optimized to eradicate, for example, Gram-positive bacteria from the cytosol or parasites hiding in vacuoles. Many fundamental aspects of innate immunity are therefore cell autonomous features and the genetic analysis of mammalian somatic cells is a powerful approach to elucidate how cells respond to microbial challenge.

There are currently open positions available in the lab. Interested candidates should contact Felix Randow.

Latest news

•Felix Randow was interviewed by Science Signaling on anti-bacterial autophagy. Listen to the podcast here.

•Natalia von Muhlinen has been awarded the 2012 Max Perutz Prize for her work on the roles of NDP52 and LC3C in anti-bacterial autophagy.

•Impressions from the 2012 Cambridge Immunology Forum on cell-autonomous immunity at Peterhouse can be found here.